Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from sports and show business participate with presenter Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the individual beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began training with the London club at six years old and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: identity, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that location. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

James: No, I began with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

The presenter: We'll begin by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?

Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

James: Not particularly, just because my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my sibling compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

Reece: So we were three children during childhood. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall many of those training periods? Because I learned that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yes, I recall - the training started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [Chelsea and national team attacker Lauren James].

Kelly: Talk to me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, its name, and your memories?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I was there for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a defender at initially, correct? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

Reece: I began as a striker, and then eventually moved to the wing, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as much but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as a forward - who served as your role model?

Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the player I admired.

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is most challenging and this represents probably what most players making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about the club, of course. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and relatives and had to grow up fast. Playing on a regular schedule helped significantly.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's almost old enough to be my dad and has played at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he joined and continues to, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: In what way would he help you?

James: It was little messages away from games. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It was great to see him again. I'm pleased that his club did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and experience again one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

Reece: If the outcome is going to be the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion